Sheffield Library hosting Holiday Readings

The Sheffield Public Library will host an open house the third annual Celebrate Sheffield holiday event Saturday.

“Holiday Reading at the Library” will be the theme with the library open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day with many activities planned for both children and adults.

Amid holiday decorations using books as their themes, refreshments will be served including punch and coffee, as well as cheeses, sausage, dips, and crackers.

The featured attraction will be a book signing by Bureau County Republican/Illinois Valley Living Magazine Editor Terri Simon, a resident of Sheffield.

Simon recently wrote her first book entitled “Grandma’s Cookie Jar: Musings and Memories.” The book is geared to allow readers to “reminisce, smile, take a stroll down Memory Lane and even shed a tear or two as Terri’s work softens heart and takes you to a place when life was simple,” according to a library release. “In a nutshell, the book is a glimpse of yesteryear mixed thoroughly with a serving of today, all safely tucked away in “Grandma’s Cookie Jar,” said library director Sue Lanxon.

Simon will provide copies of her book and sign books from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library.

A book sale will also be held featuring books from Books are Fun, a nationwide company that offers a diverse selection of books, educational items, and gifts at reasonable rates. “Many of their items would make great Christmas presents,” Lanxon said. The items will be pay-and-take.

The librarian will also be reading holiday books for the children at 10 a.m. and noon. Popcorn will be served for the children.

Visitors may also check out and participate in a silent auction being held as part of the Celebrate Sheffield event.

The library has prepared a Holiday Reading book basket which will feature “new holiday” books for a variety of ages. The basket will be on display at the library where patrons can view the titles and other added goodies.

All proceeds from the basket will contribute to the purchase of playground equipment for Veteran’s Park.

A container where shoppers can drop their Sheffield Bucks will also be located at the library.

“Remember, there are many holiday-themed titles available at the library or favorite holiday books can be ordered through the RAILS interlibrary loan system,” Lanxon said.